PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary reference have said that civilised nations glorify their heroes and literary figures in their lifetime.

The reference was organised by Research Library Peshawar to eulogise the contribution of Prof Dawar Khan Daud, Dad Mohammad Dilsoz, Prof Mohammadullah Khalil, Prof Qabil Khan Afridi, Prof Farmanud Din Bakhshali, Sardar Khan Fana, Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi, Yusuf Hasan Lahore and father of Munir Hazarvi.

The participants of the reference read out research papers on the lives and services of the late Pashto and Urdu poets and writers. They highlighted different aspects of lives and contribution of the late literati. It was pledged that the papers read out at the reference would be published in book form.

Reference held to pay tributes to deceased writers

Senior progressive writer Salim Raz, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that all those literary figures, passed away during the last month, had rendered commendable literary services in their respective fields.

He said that Pashto and Urdu lost a great treasure and stressed the need for exploring various aspects of life and services of the deceased writes. “We need to explore their works and publish for onward research purposes. We are not only here just to remember those writers but also recognise and acknowledge their works,” said Mr Raz.

Dr Fasihuddin Ashraf, head of RLP said that his organisation had always encouraged poets and writers to work for a peaceful and forward-looking society. He said that the late writers would always be remembered for their creative works and young literati would continue drawing inspiration from them.

Noted Pashto writer Hamdullah Jan Bismil, who chaired the event, said that civilised nations glorified their heroes and literary figures in their lifetime. He said that the deceased writers were the best brains, who had devoted their strength and talent for a public cause.

He said that all those writers died during the past months had left behind a great literary treasure. He said that they influenced a host of generations through their productive works.

Gul Mohammad Bitab, another Pashto writer, said that RLP had been set up in November 2013 and since then had been conducting various events and research activities to inspire scholars and writers to contribute to the society by sharing their vision.

He said the late writers had contributed to different branches of knowledge and literary genres including folklore, classical literature, fiction, drama and research.

Ibrahim Roman said on the occasion that the basic objective of RLP was to encourage literary and creative research work and promote reading habit among students. “It is a positive sign that students have become eager to know about the works of their literary stalwarts,” he said.

Prof Shakil Nayab, Abdul Wadood Ashanghari, Asmat Surani, Faridoon and Atlas Gul also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2018